Trend 28: Open Source Becomes Everyday Software

It's not just about the money. Open source usage will spread well beyond the Linux operating system, the Apache Web server, and the Firefox browser, and come to include a wide variety of tools and applications.

The lure of lower costs won't be all that drives the move: Smaller firms in particular see open source as a strategic opportunity, a springboard for innovation, and a chance to declare independence from proprietary vendorswithout sacrificing quality. It's not just a change in technology; it's a change in attitude.